Chapter 0687: Storm Brewing(Two-in-One)

Half an Hour Earlier

Rustboro City, H17 Waters

The sea lay unnervingly calm, yet a terrifying energy pulse churned beneath its surface.

Devon Corporation, Emergency Response Division

A researcher sat drenched in sweat before a massive monitor, fingers flying across the keyboard as he shouted into his headset:

"Unidentified energy source detected at H17 Waters! Energy spikes exceeding thresholds at Lilycove City and Mt. Chimney! Recommend activating Protocol Level 9—I repeat, Protocol Level 9!"

Drip.

A bead of sweat shattered against the console, its glossy surface reflecting the researcher’s ashen face.

This energy surpassed even Kyogre and Groudon at their peak.

Whatever was coming would be far worse.

Ring! Ring!

The shrill phone screams hadn’t stopped all morning. Every line was jammed, employees scrambling in panicked confusion.

A senior operator strained to keep her voice steady:

"Hoenn League HQ, how may I direct your—"

"This is Wallace."

The voice on the other end was ice-calm.

"Tell the President to convene an emergency war council immediately."

A beat. Then, grimly:

"Hoenn... is in grave danger."

Rustboro City Skyline

Black clouds smothered the horizon, oppressive and suffocating. In the distance, the volcanic mouth of Mt. Chimney glowed ominously through the gloom, its fiery veins pulsing like a threat.

A young man in a green headband stood at the shore, staring at the mountain with a furrowed brow.

"Ruby!" A girl’s voice called from behind. "What’re you looking at?"

"Rain’s coming," Ruby muttered. "And it’s gonna be bad."

Something wasn’t right.

"Stay here," he ordered, already turning.

Further down the coast, a black-jacketed figure broke into a sprint. A flash of red—Charizard swooped low, and Alain vaulted onto its back without breaking stride.

"I’m finding Mr. Steven!" he yelled over the rising wind.

"Ugh, that guy!" Sapphire bared her teeth. "Always acting solo!"

"Don’t leave me behind, Alain!" Mairin waved frantically at the sky.

No response. Charizard was already a speck in the storm clouds.

Shoulders slumping, Mairin stared at the sand. Sapphire clapped a hand on her back, grinning.

"Men. Useless! Don’t worry—Chichi and I’ve got you!"

"Blaziken!" Her Mega Blaziken struck a pose, fiery ribbons whipping from its wrists, crest feathers sharp as blades.

Thanks to Steven’s training, both it and her Gallade could now Mega Evolve—their stones gifts from the Champion himself.

"Hey, I’m still here," Ruby pointed out dryly.

"We’re heading back to Devon Corp too," Sapphire said, ignoring him as she eyed Mt. Chimney’s shimmering heatwaves. "Mairin’s coming with us. Time to grill Mr. Steven!"

"Alain..." Mairin whispered, crushed. "Why’d he ditch me...?"

Ruby studied Sapphire for a long moment—then smiled.

"Maybe... he just didn’t want someone he cares about getting hurt."

"S-Someone he—?!" Sapphire’s face exploded scarlet. Her tough-girl act crumbled instantly into flustered stammering. "J-Just—Tororo! Get over here! We’re moving out!"

……

Devon Corporation, in front of the French windows on the top floor.

Before the floor-to-ceiling windows stood Joseph Stone, the silver-haired business magnate who had built Devon Corporation from nothing, hands clasped behind his back.

"Father," Steven stared in the direction of H17Waters,"are we truly proceeding with the '∞ Energy' project?"

"∞ Energy requires living energy as its source - one might call it cruel."

President Stone shook his head. "But it's the core of the dimensional displacement device. To stop that massive Meteorite in two weeks... we must activate this plan."

"There must be another way!" Steven insisted.

"We're out of time." President Stone smiled bitterly. "Were I ten years younger, Steven, I could still adventure alongside you as a Trainer. We might have sought Rayquaza's power together."

"But now?" His voice grew heavy. "My shoulders bear the weight of Devon, all of Hoenn... every citizen of this region."

President Stone murmured, "Call it hypocrisy if you will... Steven, the '∞ Energy' project need not stain your hands. You'll remain Hoenn's impeccable Champion."

"Father!" Steven's voice cracked like a whip. "It's not over yet! Ruby, Sapphire, Wallace, Natsume-sensei - they're Trainers who perform miracles!"

A glimmer surfaced in President Stone's eyes. "You believe... one of them could earn Rayquaza's recognition?"

"I can't guarantee it. But as Steven Stone - I choose to believe in them!"

President Stone fell silent, then spoke carefully: "Living energy... needn't mean experiments on Pokémon. By refining AZ's Ultimate Weapon technology, we could use super-energy - specifically that Rainbow Meteorite's energy - to create '∞ Energy'... This might serve as an alternative."

"I'll retrieve that Rainbow Meteorite myself. It's the catalyst for Rayquaza's Mega Evolution after all."

Steven extended his hand, meeting his father's aged gaze with eyes alight.

"Father... partners?"

President Stone seemed lost in memory.

"You were just five... when I first took you mineral hunting in the wild. That Beldum I gave you... you became obsessed with stones ever since."

He gestured at waist height, smiling nostalgically.

"When did you grow so tall...?"

Then -

Joseph Stone clasped his son's hand firmly.

Like a retired captain passing the helm to his trusted first mate.

Like an old man gazing up at the mighty oak he'd planted as a sapling.

……

Hoenn League Emergency War Council

Thud!

Wallace leaned forward, slamming both palms onto the conference table hard enough to make teacups tremble.

"You're suggesting we abandon civilians along their path? Let Kyogre and Groudon advance unchecked?"

The Hoenn President steepled his fingers carefully.

"You misunderstand, Wallace. Until risks are assessed, we can't recklessly deploy rescue teams. We'll guide evacuations along their routes and promote self-sufficiency. Local League members will mobilize immediately."

A researcher interjected: "Energy readings suggest this awakening far exceeds historical precedents. We have reason to believe this is Kyogre and Groudon's Primal Reversion phenomenon!"

"Primal Reversion?"

"Correct. An ancient Pokémon trait - when environments catastrophically change or energy surpasses thresholds, they revert to original forms." He paused. "And regain even greater power."

Dewford Town's Fighting Leader Brawly crossed his arms. "Whoa... they're already bad enough. They get stronger?!"

Rustboro's Rock Leader Roxanne adjusted her twin tails seriously. "What makes Hoenn's Kyogre and Groudon more destructive than other Legendaries ultimately stems from what they represent - nature itself."

"Nature granted them overwhelming power. The true catastrophe isn't the Pokémon... but the floods and droughts they herald!"

Fortree City's Flying Leader Winona nodded. "I support the President's caution. However!" Her gaze sharpened. "This doesn't preclude Trainers providing frontline aid! Until official forces arrive, we'll form the first response teams." She scanned the room. "Who will buy evacuation time against Groudon and Kyogre?"

Silent determination answered from every Leader present.

"Um, question?"

Lavaridge Town's Fire Leader Flannery scratched her red hair. "How'd you know Groudon's awakening? I live right under its mountain and had no clue..."

The researcher explained: "Energy projections indicate 24 hours until awakening - Kyogre at Lilycove's Seafloor Cavern, Groudon at Mt. Chimney."

"Eep!" Flannery paled.

"Rest assured, Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys have already begun evacuations."

The President sighed deeply. "May all civilians escape in time..."

Wattson raised a hand. "Mauville's underground 'New Mauville' has full infrastructure. With submarine tunnels, it can shelter thousands."

"Brilliant!" Norman clapped Wattson's back. "You actually finished it!"

The old man chuckled sheepishly. Originally just an underground playground... Then the Robot King and I may have gone overboard...

Discussion returned to the critical question -

Who would stall Groudon and Kyogre?

"Your task is buying time, not victory." The President smiled bitterly. "Though I know even this may be..."

"I'll go."

Wallace and Winona spoke simultaneously, then stared at each other in surprise. Wallace smiled; Winona ignored him pointedly.

Other Leaders nodded. Teams would divide by geography - Wallace and Winona each leading groups against their respective titans.

The researcher pointed to Hoenn's map:

"Primal Groudon will likely awaken at Mt. Chimney, advancing south to H17 Waters." His marker snapped to Lilycove. "Primal Kyogre will emerge here, moving west to converge at H17."

"Expect catastrophic wildfires and floods along their paths. Lilycove, Fortree and Slateport face tsunamis. Rustboro will bake under extreme heat until the coasts..."

Awe-filled silence gripped the room.

Finally, the President surveyed the Leaders and Champion.

"Return safely. All of you."

……

"Mr. Steven!"

Alain dismounted from Charizard in one fluid motion, recalling his Pokémon as he sprinted toward the helicopter. "What's happening?!"

"Alain." Steven's smile remained composed, though his eyes darkened. "Primal Groudon and Kyogre have awakened. With the Rainbow Meteorite's appearance at H17 Waters, I must depart immediately."

"Groudon and Kyogre?!" Alain's pupils constricted. "What about civilians along their paths?!"

"Evacuations aren't complete."

A rare shadow crossed Steven's face as the helicopter's downdraft whipped his blue hair. "But I trust Wallace and the others to buy us critical time."

When the titans clashed over the Rainbow Meteorite at H17 Waters...

Steven's gaze sharpened.

This would be their only chance to secure the Meteorite and stop the cataclysm.

"I'm coming with you!" Alain declared.

Steven blinked, then smiled. "Then prepare yourself."

A Tropius descended, carrying Ruby and Sapphire who'd followed Alain.

"Ruby. Sapphire." Steven focused on the headband-wearing youth. "You must go to Sky Pillar. Rayquaza's trial awaits."

"Wait, what? Now?!" Sapphire protested.

"Our training was for this moment." Steven's eyes locked with Ruby's unusually solemn gaze. "...I'm counting on you."

Ruby stiffened—

Then adjusted his headband, revealing a jagged scar as he grinned.

"Leave it to me!"

As storm clouds gathered, the duo soared toward Sky Pillar on Tropius.

Steven watched them go, savoring the last calm before disaster.

Alain returned after locking a protesting Mairin in a secure room below.

"Not bringing her?" Steven asked.

"She'd just be dead weight," Alain said coldly.

"An... unconventional way to show concern."

Alain froze as Steven smiled knowingly.

"You're... afraid?" Alain stared at Steven's clenched hand.

"Is that so strange?" Steven's voice remained light.

"...I am too." Alain gazed at his Mega Bracelet. "But there are things I must protect."

Three days ago, Steven's warning echoed in his mind:

When the time comes... you may have no choice.

When Alain looked up, Steven had recomposed himself—the perfect aristocrat once more.

"Fear keeps us alive," Steven said.

Then, with effortless grace:

"Shall we—"

Beep beep beep!

The scrambled PokéNav signal cleared. Steven's eyes widened at the caller ID.

"Natsume-sensei!"

His usually measured voice cracked with rare urgency—and hope.

"You're in Hoenn? There's something critical we need to—"

Natsume stood at Devon Corporation's entrance, phone in hand, watching a helicopter pierce the storm clouds above.

The scrambled PokéNav signal cleared. Steven's eyes widened at the caller ID.

"Natsume-sensei!"

His usually measured voice cracked with rare urgency—and hope.

"You're in Hoenn? There's something critical we need to—"

Natsume stood at Devon Corporation's entrance, phone in hand, watching a helicopter pierce the storm clouds above.

"I'm literally standing outside your building."

Steven: ???

……

Light rain pattered against the pavement, creating a misty haze as droplets splashed on the heated ground.

Natsume wiped his brow, noticing the unusual warmth. "What's going on?"

"It's... complicated. Where exactly are you?" Steven's voice crackled through the PokéNav.

Natsume's eye twitched. Right. Forgot you own half of Hoenn.

"Devon Corporation's south entrance. Just saw a helicopter land on the roof."

Above, Steven leaned over the helipad railing, squinting through the rain.

Natsume glanced up, barely making out a blue-haired silhouette through the downpour.

An awkward pause.

Steven: "I see you."

Natsume: "Mind sending Metagross down?"

BOOM!

A platinum Metagross descended like a comet, azure flames jetting from its four arms.

Natsume eyed it sourly. Showoff.

Just wait till I get that flight gear... Latias rides incoming!

«No means no!» Latias materialized, arms crossed in an X.

Try and stop me, featherbrain.

"Metagross!" Metagross clanged its fists in greeting.

Natsume patted its X-shaped crest before mounting, white-knuckling the disc's ridges.

"Metagross...⊙﹏⊙"

"Liftoff, Metagross!"

"Metagross!" It slammed its fists in protest but ignited its thrusters anyway.

As buildings shrank below, Natsume muttered, "Feels like a theme park ride... weirdly stable."

His grip tightened with altitude—human instinct trumping pride.

Upon landing, Natsume wiped sweaty palms on Latias' invisible feathers.

"Yo, Steven—" He blinked. "Alain?"

The usually stoic trainer visibly relaxed at Natsume's arrival.

"Here for training under Mr. Steven," Alain said stiffly.

Ah. Prepping for Lumiose Conference. Natsume nodded. "Came to pick up custom flight gear after visiting Wally. But..." He eyed their grim expressions. "Why the panic?"

Alain marveled at Natsume's composure amid impending doom.

Steven exhaled. "You're right. We must stay focused."

Natsume: "???"

"Regarding the Rainbow Meteorite at H17 Waters..." Steven placed a hand over his heart. "Primal Groudon and Kyogre will awaken soon to claim it. Wallace's team buys evacuation time while we seize the Meteorite during their clash."

His gaze burned with determination.

"Natsume-sensei... we need you."

Natsume: (⊙▃⊙)

Every damn flag coming home to roost.

Victini: ♪~ヽ(•̀ω•́ )ゝ✧ Victory vibes intensifying!

Darkrai: (´-﹏-`；) Science was simpler before this man.

Blastoise: (ง •̀_•́)ง Bring on the heavyweights!

Sirfetch'd: (╥﹏╥) I just wanted to retire...

Pupitar: (▼皿▼#) I'LL CONTROL THE WEATHER IF IT KILLS ME!